Chatter hints June 20 iPhone 5S, budget iPhone launch

iPhone 5S colors (teaser 001)

With Apple’s annual developers conference approaching fast, we’re starting to see some credible leaks pertaining to the iPhone 5S, Apple’s seventh-generation iPhone. We’ve already seen the leaked Home button and vibrator parts earlier this week and claimed speaker parts from before. And with analysts predicting a June launch for the device and Macotakara claiming earlier this month that Foxconn has already started the iPhone 5S production, now the same Japanese blog issues a new report that gives as the reportedly official announcement date for both the iPhone 5S and a more affordable model for emerging markets: Thursday, June 20…

Macotakara claims to have quality insider knowledge on this and goes on to mention that the iPhone 5S would go on sale shortly after, in early July.

That sounds like Apple.

The June 20 keynote would also see a preview of iOS 7 as the software apparently isn’t ready for prime time yet. Finally, the event should also see the unveiling of a less-pricey iPhone featuring a polycarbonate body, with the device going on sale in August.

Note that Macotakara has some decent sources in Apple’s supply chain. The publication has established a pretty decent track record reporting on the Apple rumors and has been increasingly accurate lately with these things.

Another Japanese web site, MacFan, corroborated Macotakara’s report.

Budget iPhone (Martin Hajek 001)
Budget iPhone rendering courtesy of 3D artist Martin Hajek.

Another credible hint: TechCrunch yesterday ran a story reportedly based on a confidential Foxconn presentation that points to a firm June 2013 launch for the iPhone 5S. “It is some of the most convincing data we’ve seen relating to new Apple launches,” the publication assures us.

But that’s not all, the internal document allegedly highlights a few new cases and chargers for iPhone devices, including a Qi-enabled wireless chargers and dongles for the iPhone 5.

Furthermore, TechCrunch singled out one third-party vendor with an interesting inside track to Foxconn which is apparently working with Foxconn directly to launch its product immediately upon the launch of the new iPhones.

This sort of leak – a launch date, direct contact to a certified manufacturer, and mention of direct cooperation with Foxconn – is fairly unique in the world of Apple news.

It also suggests a certain lack of fear in manufacturers as they approach a new, post-Steve Jobs Apple.

Apple hasn’t announced WWDC 2013 yet, but with Google’s I/O scheduled to take place May 15-17 at San Francisco’s Moscone West, Apple for sure won’t be waiting for too long to reveal its cards.